Max Owen Waddoups

“He Could Fix Anything”
Max Owen Waddoups passed away peacefully at home on November 8, 2009. He was born in Bountiful, Utah, July 13, 1918 to Royal and Olive England Waddoups.
He grew up on the family ranch in Lost River, Idaho where he learned the value of honest work. After graduating from high school, he trained as an electrician. He moved to Salt Lake City where he met and married the love of his life, Josephine Paskett Waddoups, in the Salt Lake Temple on January 9, 1942.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and then returned to his family and his occupation with honor. He quickly earned a reputation for outstanding work and integrity.
He became a master electrician and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for over 60 years. He worked on complex electrical systems throughout the area and took great pride in his work. When he started his own electrical contracting business, he named it Cottonwood Electric after the cottonwood trees that surround his cabin on the south shore of Bear Lake. He spent as much time as he could at his cabin with his family and many friends. He enjoyed both summer and winter sports throughout his life and last water skied on his 70th birthday just to prove that he still could.
He enjoyed white water river rafting and ran the Cataract Canyon in a wooden dory. He became a private pilot, flew Cessnas and Mooneys and served as Squadron Commander of the Utah Civil Air Patrol.
He was an active and faithful member of the LDS Church throughout his life. He served for 40 years as a Boy Scout leader where he taught many boys to enjoy the outdoors and to follow the values that guided his own life. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He served as President of the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.
He valued education and continued to learn throughout his life. He graduated from Lost River High School, LDS Business College and he attended Dixie College after he retired.
He and Jo served a mission for the LDS Church in Nigeria, where they worked with local members of the Church and supervised the construction of the first LDS chapel in Nigeria.
Survived by his wife, Jo; his children, Milo (Marilyn), Odette, Shand (Janeen), and Jon (Joyce); 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Ruth and Carol, and by brothers, Bob, Don, Jerry, Wayne and Clark.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11th at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South, SLC. Friends may meet with the family one hour prior at the Winder Stake Center, 1250 East 4530 South, SLC.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Boy Scouts of America.  Click here to donate online.